The concert experience may soon become more exclusive for superfans, as Live Nation is in discussions with Spotify, Apple, and Amazon about integrating early access ticket presales into their premium subscription tiers. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino confirmed the negotiations during the company’s February 20th earnings call, stating that these streaming giants are exploring ways to offer ticketing perks as part of their high-tier subscription models.
This development follows recent reports that Spotify is working on a new ‘Super Pro’ subscription tier, expected to launch later this year. The rumored $5.99 monthly add-on would provide perks like hi-fidelity audio, AI-powered playlisting, remixes, and most notably, early access to concert tickets. Given how competitive ticket sales have become—especially for high-demand shows—skipping Ticketmaster’s infamous queues could make this a game-changing perk for dedicated music fans.
Rapino acknowledged that Live Nation is open to the idea but emphasized that any deal would need to make financial sense compared to the company’s existing presale strategies.
“As far as the latest round with Spotify, Apple, and Amazon, they’ve approached us all. We’ve talked to them all about ideas on if they wanted inventory. There’s a cost to that, and we would entertain and look at that option if it made sense for us in comparison to other options we have for that presale, which is a very valuable asset.”
Why Are Streaming Giants Moving Into Ticketing?
The music industry is rapidly evolving, and we are entering what UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge calls the “Streaming 2.0” era—a new phase of consumer segmentation, geographic expansion, and enhanced value for both artists and listeners.
This shift has led companies like Spotify, Apple, and Amazon to redefine their business models beyond just streaming. Live events and fan experiences are now major revenue drivers, and exclusive ticket access could be a key differentiator for their premium tiers. Here’s why these companies are interested:
🎵 Spotify – The platform has been testing ways to expand its revenue streams, including direct-to-fan ticket salesand AI-powered music curation. By adding early ticket access, it can entice superfans to upgrade their subscriptions while strengthening its connection with artists.
🍏 Apple Music – With its focus on high-quality audio and immersive experiences, Apple could bundle exclusive concert perks with its Apple One subscription service, creating more value for its ecosystem of users across Apple devices.
📦 Amazon Music – Already integrated with Amazon Prime, Amazon Music could leverage ticketing perks to enhance Prime’s entertainment offerings, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for music, streaming, and live event access.
As streaming services look beyond traditional music consumption, partnerships with Live Nation and other event promoters could mark a new era of fan engagement, where subscribers don’t just listen to their favorite artists—they get VIP access to see them live.
